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You have to see it for yourself

06/18/2014 Nativegrl77

Josh Burstein

This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will vote on whether to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.To get a true sense of what this debate is really about, we traveled to Alberta, Canada. Here at the pipeline’s source, the tar sands reserves span an area the size of Florida.

Exploitation of this massive dirty energy stockpile threatens not only the climate, but an entire people’s way of life. Chief Adam and members of the Athabasca Chipewayan know that the integrity of the land, and the communities that call it home, mean a lot more than Big Oil’s profits.

Watch this video for personal stories from the path of Keystone XL and footage of tar sands development from the air.

When the Senate Energy Committee votes, will they heed the voices of the communities in the path of the Keystone XL pipeline? Or will the fossil fuel industry drown out the concerns of these caretakers and warriors with false promises of inflated jobs and fictional energy independence?

The Keystone XL fight isn’t about a pipeline, it’s about real people and our future. Share this video with your friends and make sure they get the message.

It’s worth the watch.

Thanks,

Josh

P.S. Click here and tweet this video directly to the chairs of the Senate Energy Committee!

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

George Will’s “Extraordinary Harm” Done ~~ John Whitehouse

06/18/2014 Nativegrl77

Some other things I’ve read this week: Mona Chalabi on a botched Washington Post article, Peter Lauria on a potential deal between VICE and Time Warner, Julianne Ross on lies men’s rights activists spread, and Felix Salmon‘s long interview withBuzzFeed founder JonahPeretti.

John Whitehouse
Twitter: @existentialfish

Will’s “Extraordinary Harm”

George Will argued in The Washington Post that efforts to curb campus sexual assault are about making victimhood a “coveted status.” The National Organization of Women is urging the Post drop Will’s column, citing the “extraordinary harm” to victims: http://mm4a.org/TGR3ga
Related: A college rape survivor responded to George Will: “Just stop.” http://mm4a.org/1s3Ford

There’s No Off Switch

Republican House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his primary in part due to the influence of right-wing radio. Ignoring Cantor’s track record of obstructionism, the right attacked Cantor with methods straight from their anti-Obama playbook: http://mm4a.org/1odPhkh
Related: CBS was blasted for failing “journalism 101” after its analyst lamented Cantor’s loss – without noting that Cantor had previously paid him. http://mm4a.org/1hPr6WM

How Fox Covers Right-Wing Cop Killers

When Fox News covers breaking events that might involve Arabs or Muslims, they regularly blame the entire Muslim community. But when perpetrators are linked to any right-wing ideology, they tread lightly and ignore larger context and certainly avoid any collective blame: http://mm4a.org/SvgMqA

FEATURED VIDEO

Here’s another edition of Science vs. Bull$#!%, this time featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson taking on conservative denial of science. http://youtu.be/pCLQ_zOFtMk

CALLED OUT

The Anti-Defamation League condemned Family Research Council President Tony Perkins for trivializing the Holocaust, calling Perkins remarks “deeply offensive.” http://mm4a.org/1hONbop

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Conservatives are using arguments previously heard on Fox News in lawsuits against abortion providers across the country – and those arguments are based on myths. http://mm4a.org/1tErFlY

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

The Newest Target For Conservatives? Superman

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Why We Need to Act on Immigration Reform

06/18/2014 Nativegrl77

Attracting the best and brightest talent from around the world — especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) — is crucial to our nation’s success. After all, one recent study looking at all U.S.-based Nobel laureates over the past 50 years found that more than a quarter were foreign-born.So when we sat down with America’s nine most recently minted Nobel laureates, we asked them to share their perspective on immigration reform, andthe importance of maintaining America’s competitive advantage as a magnet for global talent.Watch America’s top scientists discuss the need for comprehensive immigration reform:

ACTION ALERT

06/18/2014 Nativegrl77

Kids Need Your Help

The House of Representatives could vote as soon as next week to either gut or protect new standards that have improved school lunches. We’re gaining momentum and keeping the pressure on: act now to urge your member of Congress to stop the attack on healthy school lunch standards.

Take Action Today!

There’s still time! We’ve got another chance to tell Congress that in the midst of a public health crisis, we can’t take fruits and vegetables off kids’ school lunch trays.

Last week—after intense debate—Congress postponed a crucial vote to either gut or protect new standards that have improved school lunches. We’re gaining more and more momentum, and until the House of Representatives votes, we’re keeping the pressure on—act now to defend healthy school lunches for kids!

Union of Concerned Scientists analysis has shown that increasing our consumption of fruits and vegetables could prevent thousands of deaths and billions of dollars in health care costs each year from diet-related chronic disease. Today, Americans of all ages are not eating nearly enough of these healthy foods.

Congress recently improved federally funded school lunches by requiring at least half a cup of fruits and vegetables with every meal. These standards were a positive first step in ensuring that kids will get the foods they need to grow up healthy. We can’t go back on the gains we have made to improve kids’ diets.

Urge your member of Congress to stop the attack on healthy school lunch standards!